Manchester City’s Micah Richards has made slow progress in his recovery from an ankle injury, and is likely to be sidelined for another four weeks. City will assess Joe Hart (back), Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Mario Balotelli (conjunctivitis), but Gareth Barry is ruled out with an abdominal injury. Southampton could be without midfielder Jack Cork, who hurt his ankle in pre-season. Summer signings Nathaniel Clyne, Steven Davis and Jay Rodriguez could all play.(BBC Sport)

Preview

On the face of it a trip to play champions Man City on the opening weekend of the season could well be as tough as it gets for Southampton as they enjoy their place back in the top flight following back to back promotions, however in many ways they have nothing to lose, well except for the match, which could well end in a drubbing.

Roberto Mancini will hope to get his Etihad Stadium side purring right from the off and he would certainly have been pleased with aspects of his sides comeback win over Chelsea in the Community Shield last week.

Southampton are an attacking side but they may want to turn up today with an element of caution and the chances of the Saints coming away from Man City with any sort of positive result will depend on how they fare in the first 10-15 minutes. If they concede early then it could be a long afternoon.

Sergio Aguero has been in red hot form in pre-season and you wouldn’t bet against the Argentine getting on the score-sheet today, but who will partner him in attack, if indeed Mancini does opt for a two pronged front-line.

Prediction

Man City 4-0 Southampton

Highlights

Highlights of the match will appear on site after completion of the match.

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